Component-based utility supply apparatus

ABSTRACT

A component-based utility supply apparatus includes a wall-mounting bracket, a utility distribution unit mounted to the wall mounting bracket and an equipment management rail. The wall mounting bracket includes a longitudinally extending wall mounting flange and a support bracket having an upper supporting flange and a lower supporting flange that are interconnected via a rear wall extending therebetween, the rear wall being attached to the mounting bracket. The utility distribution unit can comprise a fluid (gas) manifold, or a power distribution assembly, or both the gas manifold and the power distribution assembly may be coupled together with the wall mounting bracket and equipment rail to provide a combined power and gas utility configuration. The utility supply apparatus further comprises integrated lighting devices and light transmissive lens panel for supplying light along at least a portion of the utility supply apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of and claims priority fromearlier filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/419,371, filed May 19,2006.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates to wall mounted systems for deliveringfluid and power to hospital rooms and laboratory facilities, and moreparticularly to a component-based system that can be easily installedand configured to provide equipment management, or fluid and equipmentmanagement, or power and equipment management, or fluid, power andequipment management, all further including an integrated lightingsystem and improved interconnection systems.

Wall mounted systems for delivering utilities, such as fluid (gases andliquids) and power to hospital rooms and laboratory facilities are knownin the art. Furthermore, component-based wall-mounted systems fordelivering fluid and power to hospital rooms are also known in the art.For example, the US Patents to Pitchford et al U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,553,892and 5,756,993 disclose modular systems for delivering fluid and/or powerto hospital rooms.

While each of the systems in the prior art has its own unique features,each of these systems is also somewhat difficult to install, requiringexcessive amounts of labor at the installation site. In particular, theprior art systems are directed to fluid rail systems in which the fluidconduits of separate fluid modules are connected with brazed pipefittings. Such plumbing connections are labor intensive and costly. Eachof the prior art systems also has many exposed joints and gaps in theexternal surfaces, which promote the collection of dust and debris,making these systems difficult to clean and sanitize. Finally, few, ifany, of the prior art systems include an integrated lighting system.

The instant invention provides a component-based utility supplyapparatus including a mounting bracket, a utility distribution unit(power or fluid) mounted to the mounting bracket and an equipmentmanagement rail. The mounting bracket includes a longitudinallyextending wall mounting flange and at least one longitudinally extendingsupporting flange. The utility distribution unit can comprise a fluid(gas) manifold, or a power distribution assembly, or both the fluidmanifold and the power distribution assembly may be coupled together toprovide a combined power and gas utility supply configuration. Theutility supply apparatus further comprises integrated lighting devicesand light transmissive lens panel for supplying light along at least aportion of the utility supply apparatus. Multiple utility supply unitscan be coupled together in linear alignment to provide custom lengthssuitable for use in any size room. Customized alignment platesinterfittingly engage between side-by-side units to properly space theunits and properly align the units for acceptance of standard coverpanels. All of the exterior surfaces of the various components areconfigured and arranged to merge together to form continuous contouredsurfaces that are easy to clean and sanitize.

Accordingly, among the objects of the instant invention are: theprovision of a component-based system for delivering and managingutilities and equipment;

the provision of such a component-based utility and equipment managementsystem that can be configured in a plurality of different configurationsdepending on the needs of the facility;

the provision of such a component-based utility and equipment managementsystem that is easy to configure, install and adapt to various needs;

the provision of a component-based utility and equipment managementsystem that includes integrated lighting elements;

the provision of a component-based utility and equipment managementsystem where the fluid connections comprise simplified O-ring flangedfittings and o-ring seals that do not require brazing operations; and

the provision of a component-based utility and equipment managementsystem that can be configured to provide either equipment management, orfluid and equipment management, or power and equipment management, orfluid, power and equipment management as determined by the needs of thefacility.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplatedfor carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a component-based fluid and equipmentmanagement assembly in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of two component-based fluid andequipment management assemblies interconnected with a manifoldconnection assembly;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the component-based fluid and equipmentmanagement assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective end view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fluid manifold;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the equipment management rail;

FIGS. 8A-8C are cross-sectional views showing fluid connection of eachof the fluid conduits to a respective one of the fluid delivery outlets;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the opposing end of the component-basedfluid and equipment management assembly;

FIG. 10 is a perspective end view of the component-based fluid andequipment management assembly showing the alignment plate andinterconnecting fluid fittings of the manifold connection assembly;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the manifold connection assembly;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the manifold connectionassembly;

FIG. 13 is an end view of a component-based power and equipmentmanagement assembly in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of just the power distribution assemblyshowing configurations of the internal partitions;

FIG. 16 is another perspective view thereof;

FIG. 17 is a end view thereof;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are perspective views of a single-gang partition witha bottom opening;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a single-gang partition with a middleopening;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a single-gang partition with a topopening (shown inverted);

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a modified mounting bracket for thepower and equipment management assembly;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the back wall panel of the powerdistribution assembly;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the power distribution face plate;

FIG. 24 is an end view of a component-based fluid, power and equipmentmanagement assembly in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view thereof;

FIG. 26 is an end view of a component-based equipment managementassembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment mountingbracket;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view thereof with the fluid manifold receivedthereon;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 29-29 of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment mountingbracket with the fluid manifold, equipment management rail and powerassembly installed thereon;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a completed installation of thealternate embodiment component-based system of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the fluid delivery outlets andescutcheon plates therefore; and

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a fluid only installation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, a fluid and equipment managementconfiguration of the component-based utility supply apparatus of theinstant invention is illustrated and generally indicated at 10 in FIGS.1-12. A power and equipment management configuration is illustrated andgenerally indicated at 200 in FIGS. 13-23, a combined power, fluid andequipment management configuration is illustrated and generallyindicated at 300 in FIGS. 24 and 25, an equipment managementconfiguration is illustrated and generally indicated at 400 in FIG. 26,an alternate embodiment combined power, fluid and equipment managementconfiguration is illustrated and generally indicated at 500 in FIGS.27-32, and a fluid apparatus is illustrated and generally indicated at600 in FIG. 33.

As will hereinafter be more fully described, the instant inventionprovides a component-based utility supply system, which can be arrangedin several different configurations to provide equipment management,fluid (gas) and equipment management, power and equipment management, orpower, gas and equipment management, all configurations optionallyincluding integrated lighting components, such as fluorescent lighting.Each utility configuration is uniquely designed with components, coverpanels, end panels and lens panels that merge together at theirtransition edges to provide continuous outer surface contours that areboth aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean and sanitize. Thecomponents of the component-based system are also easy to install and tocouple together in side-by-side arrangements to provide custom lengthunits.

The term “fluid”, as used in this specification, refers to liquids andgases. In hospitals and laboratories, typical gases include oxygen, airand nitrogen; typical liquids may include water. Fluid pressure throughthe present invention can be either positive or negative (vacuum). Thatis, fluids can be delivered from the facility through this invention andinto the particular room where the invention is installed (positivepressure), or the fluid can originate in the particular room, and travelthrough this invention to a further collection or distribution point inthe facility. An example of the use of negative pressure for fluids isthe use of suction (vacuum) to evacuate bodily fluids in a hospital, orto crate a vacuum in a laboratory.

In this specification, “fluid supply line” encompasses the delivery offluids and gases, and further encompasses reversed flow, where fluidsand gases may flow toward the facility, as may be the case with vacuumand suction arrangements.

The term “power”, as used in this specification, refers to electricalcurrent flow, and includes electricity, telephone, data, cabletelevision, fax and other similar low voltage electrical circuits. Inhospitals and laboratories, typical electric circuits include 120v and240v alternating currents, and low voltage (12v and 24v) alternating anddirect current circuits. In this specification, “power supply line”encompasses the delivery of electricity as well as two-way electricalcommunications as found with telephone, data, and cable transmissionlines.

Turning back to FIGS. 1-12, the fluid and equipment management assembly10 comprises a mounting bracket generally indicated at 12, a fluidmanifold generally indicated at 14, an equipment management railgenerally indicated at 16, lighting components 18, 20, lighting lenspanels 22, 24, and end panels 25.

With respect to the preferred embodiments illustrated herein, all of theelongated mounting brackets and components are preferably formed asextruded aluminum parts. However, the use of other metals andmanufacturing techniques is also contemplated. Plastic and compositematerials may also be used in selected areas of the system, where foundto be appropriate for material handling, building codes and otherrequirements.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the mounting bracket 12 comprises a verticallyoriented, longitudinally extending wall mounting flange 26, and aplurality of supporting flanges 28, 30, 32, 34 extending outwardly fromthe front surface of the wall mounting flange 26. The wall mountingflange 26 is configured and arranged to be secured to a verticallyoriented wall structure 36 with threaded mounting screws or bolts 38, orother appropriate wall fasteners. The wall mounting flange 26 furtherincludes a channel structure 40 on the rear surface to accommodate asplicing plate 42, used to couple two side-by-side units together.Referring now to the supporting flanges, there are first and secondlower supporting flanges 28, 30 and first and second upper supportingflanges 32, 34. The first, lower and upper supporting flanges 28, 32 areslightly longer and are utilized for mounting of the fluid manifold. Thesecond lower and upper supporting flanges 30, 34 cooperate with thefirst upper and lower supporting flanges 28, 32 to define wiring ducts44, 46 for the lighting components 20, 22. Cover panels 48, 50 aresecured over the wiring ducts 44, 46 to isolate the wiring from the restof the unit.

The fluid manifold 14 is preferably formed as an extruded aluminum partand has an elongated body with opposing end faces 52, 54. However, theuse of other metals and manufacturing techniques is also contemplated.Plastic and composite materials may also be used in selected areas ofthe system, where found to be appropriate for material handling,building codes and other requirements. Preferably, three separate fluidconduits 56, 58, 60 extend through the body between the end faces 52,54. While there are three conduits shown in the illustrated embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by theillustrated number of fluid conduits. These three separate fluidconduits 56, 58, 60 generally define three separate lobe structures 62,64, 66 for the fluid manifold. The central lobe 66 includes upper andlower mounting shoulders 68, 70 that are configured and arranged to bereceived between the first upper and lower supporting flanges 28, 32 onthe mounting bracket 12. These mounting shoulders 68, 70 are snuglyreceived between the supporting flanges 28, 32 and are secured in placewith threaded fasteners 72 at various locations along the lengththereof.

Referring briefly to FIGS. 2 and 3 each of the fluid conduits 56, 58, 60may be connected to a corresponding fluid supply line 74, 76, 78 locatedin the supporting wall 36 adjacent to the mounting point of the utilitysupply 10 assembly. The end faces 52, 54 of the fluid manifold 14, asshown in FIGS. 4 and 9 are machined substantially flat and true, and thefluid conduits 56, 58, 60 can be provided with bored and tapped ends(see FIG. 9), preferably to receive standard pipe fittings. Pipecouplings 80, 82, 84 are installed in the bored and tapped ends of thefluid conduits 56, 58, 60 for connection to the facility fluid supplylines 74, 76, 78. Preferably known pipe couplings are utilized for thefluid connections. However, any suitable connection methods, includingcrimping, brazing, compression fittings and/or O-ring flanged fittingsmay be used. On the opposing end of the fluid conduits 56, 58, 60, plugs86 may be installed to seal the end of a conduit (See also FIG. 9).

Commercially available fluid outlet fittings 88, 90, 92 (DISS gas outletfittings) are installed in the front face of the fluid manifold 14.Referring to FIGS. 8A-8C, outlets 88, 90, 92 may be fastened intothreaded ports 94, 96, 98 that have been machined into the front face ofthe fluid manifold. Fluids from the facility fluid supply lines 74, 76,78 may flow into a specific threaded port 94, 96, 98 through a fluidpassage that has been previously drilled for the specific port. Theorientation and number of fluid passages between the fluid conduits anda specific port determines which fluid will be delivered to theindividual port. Referring to FIG. 8A, the fluid outlet port 94 isconnected to the central fluid conduit 58 through a port 100 drilledinto the bottom of the outlet port 94. Referring to FIG. 8B, the fluidoutlet port 96 is connected to the lower fluid conduit 60 through a port102 drilled into the side of the outlet port 96. More specifically, athrough hole 104 is drilled straight through the fluid conduit 60 fromthe outside of the lower lobe 66. In this regard, the outer surface ofthe lower lobe 66 is provided with a flat drilling shoulder 106 tofacilitate drilling of the through hole 104. The port 102 is drilleduntil the connection to the outlet port 96 is completed, and then theouter section of the hole 104 is drilled again and tapped to receive aplug 108 to seal the opening. This arrangement is considered to be animprovement over the prior art wherein the connection ports had to bedrilled from within the outlet port. In the prior art, this drillingarrangement was awkward, and often damaged the internal threads. Thepresent arrangement provides a more stable way to grasp the fluidmanifold, and a flat outer surface on which to start the drillingoperation. More reliable and consistent results are obtained. Referringto FIG. 8C, the fluid outlet port 98 is connected to the upper fluidconduit 56 in the same manner through the upper lobe 62 including upperport 110, upper through port 112, upper drilling shoulder 114, and plug116.

Installed in the front face of the fluid manifold is a decorative vinylface plate 118 (See FIGS. 1, 3 and 4), which can be used for labeling ofthe fluid outlets 88, 90, 92, and can be color matched to the décor ofthe room in which the system is installed.

The upper lobe 62 further includes an elongated mounting channel 120,which is configured and arranged to receive a complementary supportingtongue (described hereinbelow) formed on the equipment rail. The lowerlobe 66 includes a rounded corner wall 122 with a contoured outersurface.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the equipment management rail 16 is anelongated body having main equipment rail 124, a lower wall 126 with asupporting tongue structure 128 at the terminal end thereof, an upperwall 130, a primary mounting flange 132, and a secondary powerdistribution support flange 134.

The main equipment rail 124 is configured and arranged to have a knowncross-sectional profile (see FIGS. 1 and 7), which is suitable foraccepting known mounting adapters 136 attached to or formed oncommercially available hospital and laboratory equipment 138 (FIG. 1).The front face of the main equipment rail 124 includes opposingundercuts 139, which are configured to receive a decorative face plate135 that may be color matched to the room decor. The upper and lowerwalls 126, 130 have smooth contoured outer surfaces. The equipmentmanagement rail 16 is received and secured in mounted relation onto thefluid manifold 14 by inserting the supporting tongue 128 into thecomplementary mounting channel 120 on the upper lobe 62, and securingthe primary mounting flange 132 to a complementary mounting boss 140(also formed on the upper lobe 62 of the fluid manifold), with afastener 142. The primary mounting flange 132 includes a downwardlyextending hook portion 144 that receives and carries the horizontal loadvector of the equipment management rail 16. The fastener 142 maintainsthe hook portion 144 in engagement with the shoulder of the mountingboss 140 for structural support. In the fluid and equipmentconfiguration as shown in FIGS. 1-12, the secondary power-rail mountingflange 134 is not utilized.

When the supporting tongue 128 is received into the complementarymounting channel 120 in the fluid manifold 14, the contoured outersurface of the lower wall 126 merges together with the contoured frontsurface of the fluid manifold 14 to form a substantially continuousouter contoured surface.

The lighting components 18, 20 preferably comprise elongated fluorescenttube components. These types of components are readily available from avariety of commercial vendors and can be easily integrated into thepresent system as illustrated. However, it is to be understood that anyone of a variety of different lighting components can be used with equaleffectiveness. For example, the same lighting can be accomplished withstrings of LED or incandescent lights, or a plurality of individuallyplaced LED, incandescent or fluorescent lights.

In the preferred embodiments as illustrated, an upper fluorescentlighting component 18 is mounted on top of the second upper supportingflange 34 so that it is adjacent the upper edge of the mounting flange26, while a lower fluorescent lighting component 20 is mounted under thefirst lower supporting flange 28 so that it is adjacent the lower end ofthe wall mounting flange 26. Ballasts (not shown) for the fluorescentlighting fixtures 18, 20 can be mounted at various locations on thesupporting flanges 28, 30, 32, 34, or elsewhere within the system, asappropriate. The placement of the lighting components 18, 20 at theupper and lower edges of the wall mounting flange 26 provides a superiorlocation for both up-lighting and down-lighting of the supporting wallstructure 36.

Mounted over the lighting component 18, 20 are the lens, sizes for theupper lens panel 22 and the lower lens panel 24, with both sizes usingsimilar mounting details. These lens panels 22, 24, are preferablymanufactured from a light transmissive plastic material, and can beeither clear or tinted, optionally with optically refractive and/orreflective characteristics, to provide desired lighting effects with thefluorescent lighting fixture. Both lens panels 22, 24 have a rear edgeand a front edge with a contoured surface extending between the twoedges. The rear edges of both panels 22, 24 include a hinge channel 146,148 which are snap received over complementary hinge fulcrums 150, 152formed on the upper and lower edges of the wall mounting flange 26. Thefront edges 154, 156 of both panels 22, 24 include opposing clips 158,159 that are snap received over the respective terminal edges 17, 123 ofthe upper contoured wall 130 of the equipment management rail 16 and thelower rounded corner 122 of the fluid manifold 14. The lens panels 22,24, are pivotably movable on the hinge fulcrums 150, 152 to provideaccess to the fluorescent lights therein for repair and/or replacement.The outer surfaces of lens panels 22, 24, equipment management rail 16and fluid manifold 16 effectively merge together at their transitionedges to provide continuous outer surface contours that are bothaesthetically pleasing and easy to clean and sanitize.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 10-12, two of the fluid and equipment railsystems (COMPONENT A and COMPONENT B) are joined together inside-by-side relation to form an elongated utility supply system.Economical considerations of manufacturing, such as cost effectivealuminum extruding, casting, molding or sheet forming, and practicalhandling during manufacturing, shipment, and installation, limit thepractical maximum lengths of the fluid manifold and equipment managementrails. Varying room sizes and facilities may thus require that two ormore fluid manifolds be joined in the field to achieve the requiredtotal length of a specified installation. In the configuration shown inthe FIG. 2, two of the fluid and equipment rail modules 10, 10A arejoined together. Generally speaking, in this arrangement, Module A hasan inlet end which is connected to the facility fluid supply lines 74,76, 78 and an outlet end which is connected to the inlet end of ModuleB. The opposing outlet end of Module B is capped.

The end surfaces of the fluid manifolds 14 are machined substantiallyflat and true (FIGS. 3 and 4), and the fluid conduits may have bored andtapped ends to receive standard piping connections and/or end caps (FIG.9). Turning to FIG. 2, the inlet end of Component A is connected withstandard piping connections 80, 82, 84 to the facility fluid supply 74,76, 78. The outlet ends of the conduits of Component B are capped withcaps 86 (FIG. 9). The outlet end of Component A is connected to theinlet end of Component B with pipe assemblies generally indicated at160, 162, 164. It is noted here that the connections can be reversed andcan be mixed and matched with other types of connections providingadditional flexibility. Preferably, these assemblies 160, 162, 164comprise flexible copper pipes having corrugated center sections toprovide for adjustment. However, other forms of flexible and/oradjustable piping or tubing are also contemplated within the scope ofthe invention.

Turning to FIGS. 10-12, each of the pipe assemblies 160, 162, 164preferably includes a flexible corrugated copper pipe 166, and a copperpipe coupling 168 brazed or otherwise formed onto each end thereof. Thecopper pipe couplings 168 each include a connection flange 170 and anO-ring seal 172 received in an O-ring channel 173 formed on the endsurface 52 of the fluid manifold 14. The respective ends of the copperpipe assemblies 160, 162, 164 are aligned with the respective fluidconduits 56, 58, 60 and secured to the respective inlet and outlet endsof Components A and B with a connection plate 176 and threaded fasteners178. The coupling flanges 170 and O-rings 172 are captured between theconnection plate 176 and the end surfaces of the fluid manifolds whereO-rings 172 sit against the outer ends of the fluid manifolds and arecompressed to form a fluid seal. This joining method has the advantagedof permitting the O-rings to be field serviced and replaced afterinstallation, as the corrugated tubing allows release of the flanges andaccess to the O-rings without a need to loosen or move the installed gasmanifolds 14. As indicated above, other suitable connection methods arealso contemplated including crimping, brazing, standard compression andO-ring flanged fittings.

Covering the open area between adjacent Components A and B aredecorative cover panels 180, that may include all of the externalsurface features of the combined fluid and equipment managementComponents A and B, including lens panels 24 and the main equipmentrail. The splicing plate 42 and alignment channels 40 consistentlyprovide uniform spacing between the Components A and B so that astandard cover panel 180 can be utilized. The cover panels 180 arealigned with the adjacent component through the use of alignment pins182 that are received into corresponding bosses 184 provided on the endsurfaces of the various components.

Turning now to FIGS. 13-23, a power and equipment management railconfiguration is illustrated and generally indicated at 200. The powerand equipment configuration comprises a modified wall mounting bracketgenerally indicated at 212, an equipment rail generally indicated at 16,a power distribution assembly generally indicated at 214, lightingcomponents 18, 20 and lighting lens panels 24A, 24B.

The equipment rail 16 is substantially identical to the equipment rail16 described hereinabove, and will not be described with respect to thecurrent configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 13, 14 and 21, the modified mounting bracket 212comprises a vertically oriented, longitudinally extending wall mountingflange 216, an upper supporting flange 218 and a lower supporting flange220. The wall mounting flange 216 is configured and arranged to besecured to a vertically oriented wall structure 36 with threadedmounting screws or bolts 38, and further includes an upper hinge fulcrum213 and lower hinge fulcrum 215. The wall mounting flange 216 furtherincludes a channel structure 222 on the rear surface to accommodate asplicing plate 42, used to couple two side-by-side units together.

The upper and lower mounting flanges 218, 220 merge at their forwardedges to define a contoured front facing surface 224 having an upperedge and a lower edge. The upper edge of the contoured surface 224includes an elongated mounting channel 226, configured and arranged toreceive the supporting tongue 128 formed on the equipment managementrail 16. The lower edge of the contoured surface 224 is configured witha rounded corner 228.

The equipment management rail 16 is received and secured in mountedrelation onto the modified mounting bracket 212 by inserting thesupporting tongue 128 into the complementary mounting channel 226, andsecuring the primary mounting flange 132 to a complementary mountingboss 230 also formed on the upper supporting flange 218 of the mountingbracket 212 with a threaded fastener 232. In the power and equipmentconfiguration as shown in FIGS. 13-23, the secondary power distributionmounting flange 134 will be utilized to secure the power distributionpanel.

When the supporting tongue 128 is received into the complementarymounting channel 226 in the modified mounting bracket 212, the contouredouter surface of the lower wall 126 of the equipment management rail 16merges together with the contoured outer surface 224 of the mountingbracket 212 to form a substantially continuous outer contoured surface.

The power distribution assembly 214 comprises a back wall panelgenerally indicated at 234, a power distribution face plate generallyindicated at 236, and a plurality of partitioning panels to be describedin detail hereinbelow.

The back wall panel 234 comprises a longitudinally extending mountingwall 238 with an upper hinge fulcrum 239, a lower wall 240, an upperwall 242, a lower dividing wall 244, and an upper dividing wall 246. Amounting lip 248 is formed at the junction between the mounting wall 238and lower wall 240 wherein the mounting lip 248 is received in matedrelation with the upper hinge fulcrum 213 (shown in FIG. 9) of themodified wall mounting bracket 212 to seat the back wall panel 234 ontop of the modified mounting bracket 212. The mounting wall 238 isconfigured and arranged to be secured to a vertically oriented wallstructure 36 with threaded mounting screws or bolts 38. The lower wall240 including a downwardly angled mounting flange 250, which is securedto the secondary mounting flange 134 on the equipment management rail 16by a threaded fastener 252.

Still referring to FIG. 13, the four walls 240, 242, 244, 246 of theback wall panel 234 extend in generally parallel relation and cooperateto define three (3) separate power conduits 254, 256, 258 for supplyingdifferent types of power and electrical signals along the length of thepower distribution assembly. For purposes of the current disclosure, wewill identify the conduits as Emergency Power (110 or 220 VAC) 254,Normal Power (not backed-up) 256, and Low Voltage (signal, data, nursecall, etc,) 258, which will ultimately be terminated in conventionalwall receptacles, such as electrical receptacles 260, telephone/datareceptacles 262 and cable receptacles (See FIG. 14) 264. Wiringsupplying each type of power to the power distribution assembly is firstrouted into well-known wiring boxes 266 (only one shown) installed in asupport structure. Knockouts or openings 270A, 270B and 270C (FIG. 22)in the mounting wall 238, are positioned in alignment with theknock-outs in the covers of the respective wiring boxes 266. Theknock-outs 270A, 270B and 270C are positioned so that each wiring box isin communication with only one of the power channels 254, 256, 258,permit routing of each type of power to the appropriate wiringcompartment under strict separation. Referring back to FIG. 13, wiring268 into the assembly is generally provided through knockouts 270A, 270Band 270C in the rear of the wall panel 234. Wiring 268 of each powertype enters the appropriate conduit 254, 256 258 of the assembly whereit runs along the length of the respective power conduit 264, 256 or 258while maintaining separation for further termination within individualcompartments 271 as seen in FIGS. 15-17.

Referring to FIGS. 15-17, the portions of the wiring conduits that don'tfeed specific wiring devices are enclosed with flat access plates 272 tomaintain separation between the different power types. Generally, thefluorescent lighting ballasts may be located within one of the wiringchannel behind these plates 272, with the plates 272 removable foraccess and repair of the ballast, or the fluorescent lighting ballastsmay be mounted to the front of the plates 272 for easy service accessafter removing the face plate 236. The portions of the wiring conduitsthat feed specific wiring devices are enclosed with a plurality ofindividual receptacle partitions 274, 276, 278, each having a side wall274 a, 276 a, 278 a, and a rear wall 274 b, 276 b, 278 b with either abottom opening 278 c (FIG. 20), middle opening 276 c (FIG. 19) or topopening 274 c (FIG. 18) for routing wiring from the respective conduitinto the respective compartment 271. These partitions are secured to theupper dividing wall 246 with fasteners 280 that are received throughopenings 274 d, 276 d and 278 d, and into a mounting channel 282 on theterminal end of the upper dividing wall 246 (FIG. 17). Any two adjoiningpartitions, in cooperation with the lower wall 240, the mounting lip 248and a receptacle plate 284, will form a fully enclosed wiringcompartment. The “tips” of the partitions 244, 246 align with the ledgesof the partitions 240 and 242 so that panels 272 and rear walls 274 b,276 b, and 278 b of partitions 274, 276, 278 will be supported so as tocomplete the separation of the power conduits.

Still referring to FIG. 17, individual receptacle plates 284 arethereafter seated over the partitions by inserting an upper edge thereofinto a deep channel 286 on the end of the upper wall 242 and droppingthe lower edge into a shallower channel 288 on the end of the lower wall240. These receptacle plates 284 are optional, as the receptacles 260,262, 264 can be directly mounted to the rear surface of the face plate236. Respective wiring 268 within each of the partitions is thenterminated on the desired receptacles, 260, 262, 264 and then thereceptacles secured to the receptacle plates 284. Thus, when removingthe face plate 236 during service and repair, no live wiring will beexposed.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 23, the power distribution face plate 236comprises a front face panel 290, and a rearwardly extending mountingwall 292. The front face panel 290 has a contoured surface with aplurality of openings 294 (FIG. 23) for receiving the variousreceptacles 260, 262, 264 as mounted within the underlying powerdistribution assembly. The power distribution face plate 236 is securedto upper wall 242 with fasteners 296 that are received into a mountingchannel 298 formed in the upper surface of the upper wall 242. The loweredge of the front face panel 290 is received in adjacent relation withthe upper contoured wall 130 of the equipment management rail 16. Anoptional gasket 297 closes the gap between face plate 236 and equipmentrail 16.

An upper fluorescent lighting component 18 is mounted on top of theupper wall 242 so that it is adjacent the upper edge of the back wallpanel 234, while a lower fluorescent lighting component 20 is mountedunder the lower supporting flange 220 so that it is adjacent the lowerend of the mounting flange 216. Ballasts (not shown) for the fluorescentlighting fixtures 18, 20 can be mounted at various locations on thesupporting flanges as appropriate. The placement of the lightingcomponents 18, 20 at the upper and lower edges of the mounting flangeprovides a superior location for both uplighting and downlighting of thesupporting wall structure 36.

Mounted over the lighting components 18, 20 are lens panels 24A, 24B. Inthis embodiment, the upper lens panel 24A and the lower lens panel 24Bare the same, being the lower lens panel 24 as previously describedhereinabove. The lens panels 24 have a rear edge and a front edge with acontoured surface extending between the two edges. The rear edges ofboth panels includes a hinge channel 148 which is snap received overcomplementary hinge fulcrums 239 and 215 respectively formed on theupper and lower edge of the wall mounting flanges. The front edge ofboth lens panels 24A, 24B include an opposing clip 158 that is snapreceived over the lip formed on the rearwardly extending edge of thefront panel 290 of the power distribution face plate 236 and the roundedwall of the mounting bracket 228. The lens panels 24A, 24B are pivotablymovable on the hinge fulcrums 239, 215 to provide access to thefluorescent bulbs therein for repair and/or replacement. The outersurfaces of lens panels 24A, 24B, equipment management rail 16 andmounting bracket 212 effectively merge together at their transitionedges to provide continuous outer surface contours that are bothaesthetically pleasing and easy to clean and sanitize.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, a combined fluid, power and equipmentmanagement configuration is illustrated and generally indicated at 300.This configuration 300 comprises a standard mounting bracket 12 asdescribed hereinabove with respect to the fluid and equipment managementconfiguration 10, a fluid manifold 14 mounted to the mounting bracket12, an equipment management rail 16 mounted to the fluid manifold 14,and a power distribution assembly 214 mounted to the mounting bracket 12and the equipment management rail 16, all components being as describedhereinabove.

Referring to FIG. 26, a stand-alone equipment management configurationis illustrated and generally indicated at 400. This configuration 400comprises the modified mounting bracket 212 as described hereinabovewith respect to the power and equipment management configuration 10, andan equipment management rail 16 mounted to the mounting bracket 212.

Turning now to FIGS. 27-31, an alternate embodiment fluid, power andequipment management rail configuration is illustrated and generallyindicated at 500. The fluid, power and equipment configuration comprisesa modified wall mounting bracket generally indicated at 512, a fluidmanifold indicated at 514, an equipment rail generally indicated at 516,a power distribution assembly generally indicated at 518, lightingcomponents as described above at 18, 20 and lighting lens panels 24A,24B.

The equipment rail 516 is substantially identical to the equipment rail16 described hereinabove, the fluid manifold 514 is substantiallyidentical to the fluid manifold indicated at 14 above and the powerdistribution assembly 518 is substantially identical to the powerdistribution assembly described and therefore these components will notbe described in detail with respect to the current configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 27-29, the modified mounting bracket 512 of thepresent alternate embodiment comprises a vertically oriented,longitudinally extending wall mounting flange 520, an upper supportingflange 522 and a lower supporting flange 524. It is preferred that theupper supporting flange 522 and the lower supporting flange 524 areconnected to one another along a rear edge thereof by a rear wall 526.In this manner, the rear wall 526 extends between the rear edge of theupper supporting flange 522 and the lower supporting flange 524 suchthat the three components form a U-shaped profile. Further, the rearwall 526 is affixed to the wall mounting flange 520 such that the uppersupporting flange 522 and lower supporting flange 524 extend outwardlyfrom the mounting bracket 512. It should also be appreciated that themounting bracket 512 as described may be formed as a one-pieceextrusion. Stiffener ribs 528 may also be provided that extend in asubstantially perpendicular plane and are affixed to the rear wall 526,the upper supporting flange 522 and the lower supporting flange 524 toenhance the rigidity of the U-shaped profile of the mounting bracket.Further, grommets 529 can be seen as being provided in the uppersupporting flange 522 and the lower supporting flange 524 to allowwiring access therethrough. The entire mounting bracket 512 is installedwherein the wall mounting flange 520 is configured and arranged to besecured to a vertically oriented wall structure 36 with threadedmounting screws, wall anchors or bolts as described above.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 28 and 29, the upper supporting flange 522includes an upwardly extending lip 523 on an outer edge thereof and saidlower supporting flange 524 includes a downwardly extending lip 525 onan outer edge thereof. The fluid manifold 514 is received onto themounting bracket 512 and supported by the upper supporting flange 522and lower supporting flange 524. More specifically, the fluid manifold514 is releasable engaged with the upper supporting flange 522 and lowersupporting flange 524 such that a channel 530 formed on the rear surfaceof the fluid manifold 514 engages the lip 523 on the upper supportingflange 522. It can be further seen that fasteners 532 are installedalong a bottom edge of the fluid manifold 514 to releasably secure thebottom edge of the fluid manifold to the lip 525 extending from thelower support flange 524. It should be appreciated that while suchfastener 532 are depicted as clamps, the fasteners may also be secureddirectly into the lip 525 or the lower supporting flange 524.

Turning now to FIGS. 30 and 31, as was described in detail above withregard to the first embodiment, the equipment management rail 516 isreceived and secured in mounted relation with the assembly. In thisembodiment, the equipment rail 516 is mounted onto the top of the fluidmanifold 514, but alternately may be mounted to and supported by themodified mounting bracket 512. Should a power distribution assembly 518be employed, a secondary power distribution mounting flange 532 will beutilized to secure the power distribution assembly 518 to the wall. Itcan also be seen that the top edge of the equipment management rail 516includes a universal mounting channel 533 that allows the assembly tofit together in a modular fashion. Should a power distribution assembly518 be employed, the lower edge of the fascia panel 535 is received andretained in the universal mounting channel 533 thereby forming anuninterrupted outer contour for the surface of the assembly. Conversely,if a power distribution assembly 518 is not employed, the universalmounting channel can receive a translucent lens panel 24A, 24B or asolid closure panel. In this manner is should be appreciated that theassembly of the present invention can be configured and reconfigured asdesired.

As was the case in the earlier embodiments, when power distributionpanel 534 is received in engaged relation with the equipment rail 516that is in turn engaged with the fluid manifold 514, the contoured outersurfaces all merge together to form a substantially continuous outercontoured surface.

FIG. 32 depicts a close detail view of the front face of the fluidmanifold 514 wherein a decorative face cover plate 536 has beeninstalled to cover the fluid manifold 514. The fluid outlets 88, 90, 92,and can be seen extending outwardly from the fluid manifold 514 throughholes 538 in the face cover plate 536. Escutcheon plates 540 areprovided that are configured to be installed around the fluid outlets88, 90, 92 to close the hole 538 between the fluid outlets 88, 90, 92and the face cover plate 536. As can be seen, the escutcheons 540 bearindicia 542 that serve to label the discrete purpose of each of thefluid outlets 88, 90, 92. To ensure that the proper escutcheon 540bearing the correct label 542 is installed on the correct fluid outlet,the present invention includes index pins 544 that are positionedadjacent the fluid outlets 88, 90, 92 such that the index pins 544 alsoextend outwardly through the hole 538 in the face cover plate 536. Therear surface of the escutcheons 540 include one hole 546 therein in oneof a plurality of different positions 548. In this manner, before anescutcheon 540 can be installed over a fluid outlet 88, 90, 92, theposition of the hole 546 in the rear of the escutcheon 540 must matchthe location of the index pin 544 for that particular fluid outlet 88,90, 92. For example, the vacuum may have an index pin 544 positioned tothe left and therefore an escutcheon 540 bearing a vacuum label willhave a hole 546 in the left position and therefore could only beinstalled over the vacuum outlet. Similarly, the oxygen index pin 544may be in the center and the air index pin 544 may be on the right. Inthis manner, the escutcheons 540 cannot be swapped preventingmislabeling of the fluid outlets 88, 90, 92.

Finally, turning to FIG. 33, a combined fluid and equipment managementconfiguration is illustrated and generally indicated at 600. Thisconfiguration 600 employs the alternate embodiment mounting bracket 512as described hereinabove and includes a fluid manifold 514 and equipmentmanagement rail 516 mounted thereon. In this regard, in the presentconfiguration 600, the mounting bracket 512 is affixed to a verticalmounting surface such as a wall. The fluid manifold 514 is mounted tothe mounting bracket 512 and an equipment management rail 516 mounted tothe fluid manifold 514, all components being as described hereinabove.

It should be noted that in both FIGS. 30, 31 and 32, all of thepotential locations for power outlets and gas outlets are shown andillustrated. While the assembly is depicted with all such locationsshown, not all such locations will be employed in every configuration.These figures are simply directed to being comprehensive in theirdepiction of all possible configurations and not any single limitingconfiguration.

It can be further seen that optional lighting components as describedabove at 18, 20 are installed adjacent top and bottom edges of themounting bracket 512 and lighting lens panels 24A, 24B are provided inoverlying relation concealing the lighting components 18, 20 andcompleting the outer cover surface of the equipment managementconfiguration 600 such that the contoured outer surfaces all mergetogether to form a substantially continuous outer contoured surface.Should lighting components 18, 20 not be employed, solid non-translucentpanels will be employed for closure of the outer surface of the assemblyin place of the lighting lens panels 24A, 24B. In this manner theassembly is configured so that, if desired, lighting components 18, 20can be and lighting lens panels can be added at a later date as aretrofit without having to replace the entire assembly.

It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides acomponent-based utility supply system that can be arranged in severaldifferent configurations to provide equipment management alone, fluid(gas) and equipment management, power and equipment management, orpower, fluid and equipment management, all configurations includingoptional integrated lighting components. Each system component isuniquely designed with functional components, cover panels and lenspanels that merge together at their transition edges to providecontinuous outer surface contours that are both aesthetically pleasingand easy to clean and sanitize. The component-based configurations arealso easy to install and to couple together in side-by-side arrangementsto provide custom length units. For these reasons, the instant inventionis believed to represent a significant advancement in the art, which hassubstantial commercial merit.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

1. A modular component-based fluid supply apparatus comprising: amounting bracket having a longitudinally extending wall mounting flange,said wall mounting flange having an upper edge and a lower edge; asupporting bracket including an upper supporting flange and a lowersupporting flange wherein an inner edge of each of said upper and lowersupporting flanges are connected to each other by a rear wall extendingtherebetween, said rear wall being attached to said mounting bracket; aone-piece fluid manifold having an upper mounting surface and a lowermounting surface, said upper and lower mounting surfaces beingrespectively releasably coupled to said upper and lower supportingflanges, said fluid manifold further having a body with a first end anda second end, said body including a plurality of longitudinallyextending fluid conduits contained therein and extending from said firstend to said second end for supplying fluid along said fluid manifold; atleast one lighting device disposed adjacent one of said upper and lowersupporting flanges; and at least one light transmissive lens paneloverlying said at least one lighting device wherein said at least onelighting device is operative for supplying light along at least aportion of said fluid supply apparatus.
 2. The component-based fluidsupply apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an equipment managementrail releasably coupled to said fluid manifold.
 3. A modularcomponent-based fluid and power supply apparatus comprising: a mountingbracket having a longitudinally extending a supporting bracket includingan upper supporting flange and a lower supporting flange wherein aninner edge of each of said upper and lower supporting flanges areconnected to each other by a rear wall extending therebetween, said rearwall being attached to said mounting bracket; a one-piece fluid manifoldhaving upper mounting surface and a lower mounting surface, said upperand lower mounting surfaces being respectively releasably coupled tosaid upper and lower supporting flanges of said mounting bracket, saidfluid manifold further having a body with a first end and a second end,said body including a plurality of longitudinally extending fluidconduits contained therein and extending from said first end to saidsecond end for supplying fluid along said fluid manifold; an equipmentmanagement rail releasably coupled to said fluid manifold; a powerdistribution assembly having a longitudinally extending back wall panelhaving an upper edge and a lower edge, said power distribution assemblyfurther including a plurality of longitudinally extending supportingflanges wherein adjacent supporting flanges cooperate to definelongitudinally extending power conduits for supplying power along saidpower distribution assembly; at least one lighting device disposedadjacent one of said upper supporting flange of said power distributionassembly and said lower supporting flange of said mounting bracket; andat least one light transmissive lens panel overlying said at least onelighting device wherein said at least one lighting device is operativefor supplying light along at least a portion of said component-basedfluid and power supply apparatus.
 4. The component-based fluid and powersupply apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fluid manifold has a contouredfront facing surface having an upper edge and a lower edge, and saidequipment management rail having an upper contoured surface and a lowercontoured surface, said lower contoured surface of said equipmentmanagement rail merging with the upper edge of said fluid manifold toprovide a continuous contoured surface, said power distribution assemblyfurther comprising a power distribution face plate having an upper edgeand a lower edge and an outer contoured surface extending therebetween,said power distribution face plate being releasably coupled to an uppersupporting flange of said power distribution assembly wherein said loweredge thereof is disposed in adjacent relation with said upper contouredsurface of said equipment management rail, said at least one lightingdevice comprises an upper lighting device disposed adjacent said uppersupporting flange of said power distribution assembly and a lowerlighting device disposed adjacent said lower supporting flange of saidmounting bracket, said at least one light transmissive panel comprisesan upper light transmissive panel overlying said upper lighting deviceand having an outer contoured surface that extends between said upperedge of said back wall panel of said power distribution assembly andsaid upper edge of said power distribution face plate, and furthercomprises a lower light transmissive panel overlying said lower lightingdevice and having an outer contoured surface that extends between saidlower edge of said wall mounting flange of said mounting bracket andsaid lower edge of said front facing surface of said supporting flanges,whereby said outer contoured surfaces of said upper light transmissivepanel, said power distribution face plate, said equipment managementrail, a face cover plate disposed over said fluid manifold, and saidlower light transmissive panel form a continuous outer surface.